Gail Ripka, Henry and Stark County Health Department Administrator, ispleased to announce the appointment of Alison Womack as the Department's new"We Choose Health" Grant Community Health Advisor/Specialist. Ms. Womack will be responsible for the implementation and evaluation ofthe "We Choose Health" grant. These duties will include: planning,organizing, coordinating and participating in the development,administration and evaluation of sustainable initiatives to improve healththrough evidence and practice-based approaches; recommending andimplementing program-related goals and objectives; coordinating schoolhealth initiatives in both Henry and Stark Counties; and building andsustaining successful collaborations and partnerships. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has awarded $3.5 millionin "We Choose Health" grants to communities in 60 counties in Illinois,including $56,480 awarded to the Henry and Stark County Health Departments.These funds will be used to integrate the Coordinated School Health Model atCambridge Community Unit School District and Stark County Community UnitSchool District. In addition, funds will also be used to encourage smokefree multi-unit housing. "We Choose Health" is a multi-year IDPH initiative to encourage andsupport obesity and tobacco prevention in Illinois Communities. When asked about her new position with the Health Department, Womackstated, "I feel a strong desire to be of service to the people of Henry andStark Counties. It is important that we all work together; areaorganizations, schools, local health departments, municipalities and others,to improve the health of people in our communities. Through the "We ChooseHealth" grant, I feel we can truly take a proactive approach in keeping ourcommunities alive and thriving. I look forward to educating and promotinghealthy living to our local residents." Womack, born and raised in Mattoon, IL, received her bachelor's degreefrom the University of Illinois, Springfield.